Catching the Flame Chapter 4
One day I wake up to my prep team hovering over me. I scream and accidentally hit Joey in the face. "Sorry," I say to Joey. "That's okay Grace. No harm done," Joey replies. I smile then frown when a question comes to mind.
"What are you guys doing here?" I ask them. "Why we are here to get you ready for your photo shoot with the wedding dresses!" Tea squeals. "What?" I ask blankly. Then I remember. Yami asked me to marry him at the interview at the end of the Victory Tour. How could I forget? I sigh and drag myself out of bed.
I am immediately rushed to get my hair done and makeup touched up. I am led downstairs where Seto is waiting. I smile at him and hug him tightly. He hugs me back and tells me to close my eyes. I feel something soft and silky slip over my naked body. I open my eyes and see myself in a full-length white silk dress with black lace on the waist.
I squeal and hug Seto again. Then Mai is there to shove me over to the cameras and position me to be ready. Classic Mai. Always worried about things being on a schedule. I wave at her and tell her to relax. She just huffs and walks off. I smirk and sit prettily for the camera.
After the photo shoot, I go over to Yami's house. I like his home in the Victor's Village better than his home in the Seam. Then again, everyone that lives in the Victor's Village, meaning Tristan, Yami and me, has it better off than the rest of the District.
I knock on the door and Yami opens it. I fling myself on him and kiss him. He seems surprised but is soon kissing me back. We pull apart when we need air and hear clapping. I turn around and see Tristan and my mother were watching us the entire time. I blushed bright red.
I went back over to my house with my mother and sat in front of the TV. "What is on tonight?" I asked my mother. "The announcement of the Quarter Quell," my mother replied. "Oh," I replied nervously.
Just then President Webber came on the screen. "Greetings everyone! I am pleased to announce the new rule for our Quarter Quell." I gulped nervously. "On the 75th anniversary, to show that even the winners cannot overcome the Capitol, the tributes for the 75th Hunger Games will be reaped from their existing pool of victors." My mother screamed and I sat there, stunned.
Before I knew it, I was lying in the attic of one of the unoccupied houses in the Victor's Village. I hesitantly sat up and looked around for an exit. I stumbled around before being able to walk down the stairs. The nest thing I did surprised me. I walked straight to Tristan's house.
"And what do you want sweetheart?" Tristan asked me barely being able to focus on me. "Heard the news yet?" "I cam for a drink," I said surprising even myself. Tristan clumsily slid the bottle towards me. I grabbed it and tipped it up. It stung my eyes and my nose. But I swallowed it anyway. After finishing the bottle, I got up and ran into the wall on the way out.
When I got back home I threw up in the bathroom. My mother and Prim were never going to forgive me for this. Look what my reaction was at the announcement; that was my last thought as I blacked out.
FF 1 Month
The day of the reaping finally came and I was feeling nauseous. "Don't worry Grace. I will protect you," Yami said taking my hand. I smiled weakly and leaned against him. He stroked my hair and I sighed. I knew that I had to get Yami out alive and no one was going to stop me.
Mai Valentine comes up onto the stage and seems a little down. District 12 finally had a winner and an exciting year, all to get thrown away. I frown in sympathy.
As Mai walks over to the glass ball containing my name, I see a tear roll down her face leaving a streak in her makeup. She quickly grabs my slip of paper and calls my name. I mount the stage and this year, everyone is silent; not acknowledging me. I am grateful because I am not going to cry. Then Tristan's name is called and Yami volunteers. As we stand on the stage, with Yami holding my hand, tears start to well up in my eyes. I blink them back as we get on the train not even getting to say good-bye to my friends and family.
After we get on the train, Mai tells me that we got a new Avox. And our Avox is Vellian Crowler; assistant teacher at my school. He always helped me in sneaking out to the meadow so I guess he got what the Capitol thought he deserved. I smile weakly at him and walk into the dining car.
After dinner, I sit between Seto and Joey on the couch to watch the reapings. Only a few tributes though, stick out in my mind; the brother and sister from District 1; Sayer and Akiza, Trudge, who volunteers from District 2, Jaden Yuki and his sister, Mystery, from District 4, then Luna, the 19 year old girl from 7, Albee gets called from District 8, and tears well up in my eyes, and finally Blister, called from District 11.
I can't sleep that night so I decide to order some warm milk and go to the living room. Once I get there, I notice that Yami is sitting on the couch. I go over to him and snuggle up against him. "What are you watching?" I ask him. "I was just beginning to watch the games where Tristan won," Yami replies. I just nod and he presses play. Right as Tristan wins the games, I drift off to sleep in Yami's arms, dreading the next couple of weeks.